OK, I know I'm old, so I would prefer not to get comments about that, or that the good old days of my looks are behind me! That said, I'm trying to figure out what people are trying to accomplish with their websites and blogs. I'm not confused by the horror, paranormal, vampire, and all things in-between. Most of the sites I've seen integrate their market presence beautifully and are reader experience focused.
No, this really applies to everyone else in the 'won't ever get a Pulitzer' genres. The first place your book will be placed is on your website. Good Product Placement Is essential to business success. And yet, many pages I've reviewed really confuse me.(I reviewed hundreds in the process of trying to figure out how self-published authors build a market and media presence). I also reviewed what bestselling authors did with their online sites. For some reason, there is a disconnect between Indies and published.
Most indie sites cater to other authors, wanting to be literary, or look like resumes online. The first objective should be to sell your book. Your media presence should be consistent across all forums and designed to appeal to readers not other authors. The actual act you want to achieve, buying your book, should be obvious and easy to find.
Now, I'm not support the design of these sites, but the strategy.
Colleen Hover: I know what she's selling, I know what she's offering, and I know how to find it. Jeez, Colleen even sells stuff. If that isn't an indication that books are a business nothing is!
http://colleenhoover.com/
Kerrelyn Sparks: I know what she's selling, I know what she's offering and I know hot to find it.
http://www.kerrelynsparks.com/books_current.html
And for the romance writers, this is especially important for your success in selling. And if you have beauty, use it. I see too many author photos that look like someone is trying to look literary! Jeez, you write romance. You should look sexy or at lease fun! Or bios that say, I enjoy knitting and baking and a really good book. Romance readers want a readily identifiable experience. They want romance. Do readers want to trust valuable hours of reading to someone who looks literary and enjoys baking?
Think about it. In every product I've ever sold, I've always held one belief: I am the product and the product is me. I am The Girl on the Half Shell, and The Girl on the Half Shell is me.
I just wish today that I looked like I did in my 30s. It's hard to look fun and exciting in your 50s. Oh well, I just have to work it a different way!
No, this really applies to everyone else in the 'won't ever get a Pulitzer' genres. The first place your book will be placed is on your website. Good Product Placement Is essential to business success. And yet, many pages I've reviewed really confuse me.(I reviewed hundreds in the process of trying to figure out how self-published authors build a market and media presence). I also reviewed what bestselling authors did with their online sites. For some reason, there is a disconnect between Indies and published.
Most indie sites cater to other authors, wanting to be literary, or look like resumes online. The first objective should be to sell your book. Your media presence should be consistent across all forums and designed to appeal to readers not other authors. The actual act you want to achieve, buying your book, should be obvious and easy to find.
Now, I'm not support the design of these sites, but the strategy.
Colleen Hover: I know what she's selling, I know what she's offering, and I know how to find it. Jeez, Colleen even sells stuff. If that isn't an indication that books are a business nothing is!
http://colleenhoover.com/
Kerrelyn Sparks: I know what she's selling, I know what she's offering and I know hot to find it.
http://www.kerrelynsparks.com/books_current.html
And for the romance writers, this is especially important for your success in selling. And if you have beauty, use it. I see too many author photos that look like someone is trying to look literary! Jeez, you write romance. You should look sexy or at lease fun! Or bios that say, I enjoy knitting and baking and a really good book. Romance readers want a readily identifiable experience. They want romance. Do readers want to trust valuable hours of reading to someone who looks literary and enjoys baking?
Think about it. In every product I've ever sold, I've always held one belief: I am the product and the product is me. I am The Girl on the Half Shell, and The Girl on the Half Shell is me.
I just wish today that I looked like I did in my 30s. It's hard to look fun and exciting in your 50s. Oh well, I just have to work it a different way!
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